The new Motorola Global ES400 EDA was launched in June 2010 and is now being released in the UK.
So what’s an EDA and why all the fuss?
In order to separate itself from a mobile phone and a PDA (personal digital assistant) an EDA, or enterprise digital assistant device is aimed at the business sector. Specifically it is for people working in for example warehouses, healthcare, retail, managing inventory or lone/mobile/field working. The EDA provides an alternative to a PDAs that is aimed at office and home users.
So what’s all the fuss about?
The most striking thing to notice about the ES400 is it has both keyboard (QWERTY, AZERTY & QWERTZ keypads) and touch screen capabilities. This is great for lone workers or operational people who need both form entry capability, enjoy using keypads and for those requiring signature capture, or maybe prefer on screen handwriting and touch screen functionality. We’re in the process of testing both functions with our mobile applications.
It also comes with a whole heap of extras..
..What else can it do?
If you want to use this EDA to replace a number of other devices, gadgets or manual processes it needs more about it. The Motorola ES400 certainly has loads of features.
For work applications it has:
- Barcode scanning capability capturing 1D and 2D barcodes plus has source illumination and aiming functionality
- Biometric swipe and pincode security e.g. to lock the device and enable secure network access
- Bright backlit & luminous digital screen for working outdoors
- Bluetooth headset connection for hands free driving
- Military standards for dropping, rain seal and vibration (basically it is rain proof and meets a 4 foot drop standard) for outdoor or operation protection
- It has a stumble specification meaning it can withstand 150 x 1 metre drops
- MicroSD slot supporting up to 32GB of data
- Both GSM and CDMA network capabilities i.e. depending on your service contract you can toggle between 3G networks wherever you are in the world
- GPS functionality including a signal lock in challenging areas where signals are typically weak, such as urban canyons and indoors, providing more users with location-based services in more areas
- 3.2 mega pixel camera
Is it too bulky?
The standard size is bigger than a mobile phone and is slightly bigger than many PDAs.
We’d expect it however to fit into most pockets.
With a normal battery the dimensions are:
- Length: 129 mm
- Width 60.4 mm
- Depth 16.5 mm
With an extended battery the depth increases to 21.5 mm. The display is 3 inches.
The weight with a standard battery is 5.5 oz./156 g. With an extended battery this increases to 6.5 oz./188.5 g.
What about other accesories?
You can purchase standard and high capacity spare batteries, vehicle charging adapters, USB synch cables, charging cradles, leather holsters, screen protectors, spare stylus’ and vehicle holders i.e. for satellite navigation use.
Where can it be used?
At the time of writing we’re in the process of receiving some models and testing them with our mobile applications.
With our existing mobile applications we can use the ES400 to:
- Complete check box forms for construction site health & safety sheets
- Download mobile worker job information and take pictures of completed jobs. This is immediately uploaded to a website to show job numbers, descriptions, related pictures and GPS coordinates of where the work was completed
- Monitor lone worker location
- Send/receive job information and status updates
- Scan materials used in the field
- Proof of delivery job completion including signatures
- Integrate with our warehouse management system software either for barcode scanning/pick completion or to review operational information over the web
- Connect with our email and back end office software